Don't miss early registration for a mountain bike version of a poker run

By Laurie Gordon
STILLWATER — You've heard of a Poker Run...you know those charity events where participants, usually riding a motorcycles, must visit five to seven checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one the object being to have the best poker hand at the end of the run? Well, the Stillwater Volunteer Fire Department is putting a new twist on the idea. When they went to get the permit for the raffle, they were told that “Poker Runs” are not allowed in the state of New Jersey, so on Sunday, October 2, the department is holding its inaugural Trail Ride with Prizes. Instead of picking cards along the way, participants will pick up tickets at each stop. The tickets will be drawn at the finish festival for the prizes.
The ride is the brain child of Bill and Tracy Hughes. “We started riding with a group on Sunday mornings a few years back and we have entered the Pedal for Preservation Fundraiser ride for the Land Conservancy of NJ on the Columbia Trail in the past,” Bill Hughes said. “It was a fun time and we have nothing like that in this area. We decided that we could do a similar ride as a loop in our area instead of out and back and also decided to set up stations along the way to pick up tickets for prizes to just add a bit more to the ride. Prizes include various bike accessories and a Giant Talon 29'er mountain bike.”
The course will start at the Paulinskill Lake Ballfield on Kohlbocker Rd (Corner of Kohlbocker Road and Paulinskill Lake Roadat the dam about 1.5 miles from Rt 94 and is on the rail trails) in Sussex County. It starts on the Paulinskill Valley Trail, then heads over to a fairly new trail: the Great Valley Rail Trail. From there, the course will turn onto the Sussex Branch Trail. Riders will take a detour through the scenic Hyper Humus Wildlife Management Area, and then back onto the Paulinskill Valley Trail.
The event is rain or shine, but Hughes noted that mountain bikers don't mind a little mud and, “This is typically a very nice weekend.”
All proceeds will go directly to the Stillwater Volunteer Fire Department. “We just did a renovation on the firehouse-- there was a leaking roof and we needed siding and insulation desperately--and we could use all the help we can get,” Huges said. “In addition to this new ride, we also do private parties at the fire house including weddings and birthday parties and other fundraisers such as Comedy Shows and golf outings.”
Completing the non-competitive ride comes with some great benefits. A lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, salt water potatoes, lemonade and iced tea will await the riders at the finish as will music by The Acoustic Wolves, all of which is included in the entry.
Early registration ($50) ends this Saturday, September 10. Regular registration of $60 will continue until September 30 at 3 pm. “This is so we know if we have to buy anymore food,” Hughes said.
To register, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/stillwater-fire-department-mountain-bike-trail-ride-with-prizes-tickets-25569626441. For further information, call the Hughes' at: 362-5073.